PROJECT CONDO: ANTIQUE CABINET

When I originally envisioned our dining room makeover, I thought about buying a long buffet table with cabinets at the bottom and having a bar cart area. The more I played around with different ideas and furniture options, the more I realized I wanted to go in a little bit of a different direction for our space.

Looking at our progress post here, you can see in the bottom picture that I was planning to purchase a cabinet to fit in the corner of the dining room space. After some vehicle size issues and switching cars with family members, we were finally able to pick up a beautiful mid-century cabinet piece from my favorite antique store, Kudzu. 

I love how it fills the space and I think it's a great contribution to the room! Buying antique pieces for your home can be intimidating, but I love how much character it can add. Here are a couple antique purchasing tips I've learned so far:

1. What do you have in mind? ---> Antique stores can be quite overwhelming, some have a small stock and others have 100+ vendors selling. The best way to go into any antique store is with a list of treasures you're on the hunt for. It makes it a lot easier to see what you're looking for and not get distracted. I usually have anywhere from 3-5 items on my "to-find" list so I don't get too overwhelmed. 

2. Not sure? Take a photo! ---> When purchasing the cabinet for our dining room, I actually ended up taking 7 pictures of other pieces I thought might fit in that space as well. Afterward, I went home, sat on the floor facing the dining room, and scrolled through the pictures to image what each piece would look like in the space. It was so helpful to get a better idea of what the piece would actually look like in the space. 

3. Take a good look. ---> Before making any major antique purchases, make sure you give it a good look over. Make sure the piece is sturdy and in good shape. If it's damaged, can it be fixed? Is that something you want to invest in or should you keep looking?

I can't wait to get some more projects checked off my list for the dining room! Luckily, Jon and I spent the entire day Monday finishing up our unpacking and doing some more settling, so we're in a good place to start some serious work on decorating. Slow but steady! 

Here is an updated list of what we have left to do in the dining room:

* Finish buying 1-2 pieces of art for the walls.

* Find mix-matched frames for "art wall".

* Buy console//buffet table for the right side of the room.

* Purchase a rug. 

* Get two more window panels for the curtain rod to give it more fullness. 

* Find giant antique frame for menu project. 

* Find two end chairs for the table.

* Decorate the cabinet, tabletop and buffet with pretty things. 

PS - I'm totally counting this purchase as my Thrift-Tiquing challenge for the month of August! ;)

ADVENTURES IN THRIFT-TIQUING - PART 7

This post is a little late for July, and since I didn't get a chance to get my antiquing on last month, I wanted to share some of the vintage pieces I got for my birthday from my mother-in-law (who has fantastic taste by the way.) :) I just recently got the opportunity to unpack all of these treasures into our new condo and am very much enjoying them in our new kitchen.

1// I love this bowl that my mother-in-law found. It has a beehive shape and is glazed on the outside of the bowl. I believe this piece is from the 50's or 60's. 

2// Pyrex butter dish in snowflake garland. 

3// 1960's Sunfrost Therm-o-Ware cups, stackable, with lids. So perfect for fruit, veggies and dip! 

4// Sweet little waist apron with pockets from the 60's. 

5// Mini canister spice set!

Love adding these special finds to my collection. :) I'm looking forward to getting back into the regular swing of my antiquing this month! I'm hoping to find a bar cart and some more decanters for my dining room make-over. :)

ADVENTURES IN THRIFT-TIQUING - PART 6

This month, I went antiquing at a new little place called "Vintage Village" in Lawrenceville. I've been meaning to stop in this shop for a while, and since I had an appointment in the area, I was able to carve out some time to pop in. :) I was very impressed with the variety of booths in the shop and the amount of stuff in that little store! It was a quick trip, but very successful, I found a lot of pieces I've been on the hunt for. :)

I've been on the search for a decanter for a couple months now. Since working on the inspiration board for my dining room re-design, I've wanted a little bar cart section in the dining room. I've come across many decanters that were just a little too ornate, but the clean lines and simple design of this one is just perfect. 

This marquee "W" was a last minute decision at checkout when I saw it was only for $1.00, I like collecting "W's" and custom portraits of Jon and me. I'm not quite sure what I'll do with it quite yet, but I'm looking forward to putting something snazzy together with my little collection. ;)

I was so excited to come across this train case! It's in fantastic condition and it comes with a little plastic tray that sits on top. I'm planning to use it for make-up storage and road trips. 

I couldn't resist these way cute prints from the 60's. I'm thinking they would be cute in a bathroom or future nursery?? So stinkin' cute. :)

I love this beautiful cheese & cracker serving tray! We are big cheese and cracker people and this would be perfect for parties. I've always had my eye on the cheese platters, but I love that this one includes a space for crackers and comes on a wooden tray. 

Soon, all of these pretty things will be packed up in boxes! Jon and I will be starting our packing this week for our move at the end of July. I. Can't. Wait. :)

ADVENTURES IN THRIFT-TIQUING - PART 5

This month for my Thrift-Tiquing challenge, I took a visit to two of my favorite (so far) antique stores. The Antique Mall in Lawrenceville and Kudzu. I love both of these shops, because they are HUGE, have a great variety of antiques, and I could spent half a day in each, easy.

I've noticed that I lean heavily towards purchasing kitchen goods. I sometimes forget to stop and look at what's hanging, the little jewelry treasures, and dig a little deeper into the goodness. Usually when I go antiquing, I'm thinking about the things I like collecting: kitchen goods, records, mid-century decor. It's extremely helpful for picking out those items while I'm shopping and so much STUFF is passing through my brain. Sensory overload! However, I tend to miss out on some great pieces. I think before I go in next time, I'll step back and think about adding 1-2 new things on my mental list to look for.

My friend Kate spotted this adorable carry crate in Kudzu. I immediately fell in love with the industrial touches and she suggested using it for dressings or condiments. So cute. I could even use them as vases...or for honey and ice cream sauces?? 

I found this little treasure at the Antique Mall in Lawrenceville. I decided to take a little stroll by myself one day and spent a little extra time in the jewelry section. This beauty caught my eye and I had to try it on. I love the opalescent stones and antique gold tones in the metal. Beautiful. 

This tin tray was a quick find as soon as I walked into Kudzu last week. It was hiding in a corner and it took a matter of 2 minutes of being in Kudzu for it to find permanent residence at my side for the rest of the trip. I've realized I don't have much in the way of serving ware, so this beautiful floral tin tray is perfect! 

Do you have a strategy to antiquing?? What are the items you're constantly on the hunt for?? 

ADVENTURES IN THRIFT-TIQUING - PART 4

Month four of my Thrift-tiquing challenge! Today I took a little lunch break and went over to a beautiful antique store called Kudzu. It was stunning, beautiful...and I want to go everyday! A dear friend of mine, Emily, of The Wonder List has recently inspired me to be more adventurous. She's so good about exploring new places to eat, shop and visit. Her repertoire of places she's already visited in Atlanta is quite impressive and it makes me feel lame-o for not taking the time to explore where I live more. I've been able to visit a couple new places and I've really enjoyed that adventurous feeling! I think I always had the "grass is always greener" syndrome about where I live, but I'm starting to realize Atlanta is a pretty snazzy place and has a lot to offer. :)

So Kudzu was a new-to-me place I've never visited before and I realized it was only 10 minutes away from where I live! It's antique heaven!

I picked up four beautiful stoneware plates from Kudzu in this retro little booth. I've been wanting to build a dinnerware collection of mix-matched vintage plates, bowls and cups and I thought this would be the perfect start to my collection! :) Fun Facts: These stoneware dinner plates where hand painted in Japan. 

Another good month of antiquing down! 

ADVENTURES IN THRIFT-TIQUING - PART 3

This is the third month of my "thrift-tiquing" challenge. I made a goal to go thrifting or antiquing once a month and purchase some special pieces for my home. In the past, I've been super bad about taking the time to do this and would go to a thrift store or antique store maybe 3-4 times per year. I live in Atlanta and there are SO MANY amazing places to go. I definitely needed to start taking advantage of the surplus of shops in my area.

On top of this monthly challenge, I've set a type of "rule" to visit a new antique or thrift shop each month instead of visiting the same place over and over again. This has been such a neat experience so far, because I've been able to discover some real treasures and explore some unique places close to where I live. :)

This morning, Jon and I ran some errands and we decided to try out some new antique shops in downtown Tucker before picking up a couple groceries for dinner. We found this way cute downtown area with unique shops, restaurants, and two antique shops right next to each other. The first one we went into was very small and had a small selection, the second was a little bigger and that's where I scored one of my favorite finds to date!

Meet the my new Crosley record//radio//tape//cd player. This thing is a beauty! And I got it for a great deal! It works perfectly and sounds great, plus the little lights that come on behind the glass...so awesome. I'm in love...and so is Kyo! What a great little model he is. ;) Fun Facts: Crosley was founded in 1920 by Powel Crosley. Crosley was known for pioneering radio broadcasting around the world. The above is a replica reminiscent of the old Crosley turntables. 

I think this is quickly becoming one of my favorite things to do every month. :) Score any good thrift//antique finds recently?? 

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!! -- Oh! And if you are still looking for somewhere to advertise your business or blog for April, I'm still accepting sponsors!! AND I have my large solo feature still available, it usually runs for $50 per month, but it's on sale now for $40. Email leah@maiedae.com if you're interested!

ADVENTURES IN THRIFT-TIQUING - PART 2

On Saturday, after Jenny and I finished working on gathering tax information for MaieDae, I called up my mom and asked her if she would like to meet and go shopping. :) Jon, Jon's dad, my dad, and my brother were all out together watching a movie, so my mom and I spent the afternoon alone and decided we'd rather get in some quality mother-daughter time instead. :)

Since I made it a goal to go antiquing once a month, my mom and I decided to meet at Ally's Attic in Lawrenceville, GA. Overall, I thought they had a good selection of vendors and antique goods in their shop and, out of the small handful of antique stores I've visited in Georgia, I thought their prices were really good! I was able to get all of the items below for $40.00...which isn't necessarily a good thrift store total...but for an antique store, I thought it was a great price!

I didn't go into Ally's Attic with the intention of purchasing only kitchenware items but, for some reason, those have become my most favorite things to antique! I'm planning to try and step outside the box in March and purchase something different. ;)

I loved these two little cappuccino mugs! They had three on display, but I only purchased the two, because I have this thing for even numbers when it comes to kitchen goodies. I loved their vibrant colors and sweet little half-heart handles. I probably need to purge some of my current mugs...I think these will make the perfect replacement.

These tupperware salt and pepper shakers took me a few looks before I gave in and carried them to the front. Being a designer, I was immediately drawn to the charm of the reflective gold "S" and "P"...perfect. :) Fun Facts: These hourglass salt and pepper shakers were made in the 1950's and my mom remembers using them as a little girl!

How cute is this pattern?! I love the colors and vibrant white of this casserole dish. Through some research, I found that they produced this pattern as mugs, bowls, and other types of casserole dishes. Oh, I'd love to find this pattern as a bowl! Fun Facts: This dish is a french casserole dish by Glasbake. It was made in the 1960's and has a beautiful blueberry pattern on both sides.

Loved this cute retro sugar and creamer set! They were in great condition and I'm dying over the adorable font. Fun Facts: This sugar and creamer set was made by Gemco for Corning Glass: the same company that made Pyrex during the 1960's-1970's. 

And, of course, I picked up another piece of Pyrex for my collection. :) I found this beautiful divided dish hiding away on a book case and loved the little yellow wheat pattern. It's in perfect condition and I can't wait to start using it in the kitchen! Fun Facts: This pattern is called the "Royal Wheat" pattern and was first sold in the 1960's. It was part of the Cinderella promotional divided dish series. 

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I'm loving this monthly goal so far! Now that Jon and I are looking for a townhome//house to rent this year, I might need to start looking for some bigger furniture pieces. I think next month I will visit "vintage village" in Lawrenceville, GA. I think it would be interesting to try new antique stores every month, rather than visiting the same one. :)

Purchase any good antique, vintage, or thrifted finds this month? Do tell! Oh! And by the way, Happy Leap Year! Even though this whole year is a "leap year"...I want to wish you a happy Feb. 29th, since it only comes around every four years. ;)